Among the names is a former sevens player. Shontelle Stowers, also a Warringah Rat and Wallaroos back, has spent much of her football life in the 15-a-side game, but last year decided to give rugby league a crack when the Cronulla Sharks announced it would contract female players.

It provided a new challenge in her football and now it’s all rugby league.

“What drew me across was a couple of the girls, like Ruan Sims, had planted in my head to really give it a go and it has always been something I wanted to do,” Stowers said.

“I just finally took the step and since I have done that, at the start of last year, I have just learnt so much. I’ve been in footy for a long time but it’s so refreshing to still be learning.”

Stowers was learning last weekend when the squad of 40 came together for their first training camp at Narrabeen.

Being put through their paces by Jillaroos coach Brad Donald, as well as by the players themselves, the purpose of the camp was to arm the country’s best with the tools to help develop the next tier of players at club level.

As all eyes will be on the NRL women’s premiership in September, the work started last weekend to make sure fans see the same high-quality play they’re accustomed to seeing from the Jillaroos.

Stowers has no doubt talent coupled with the players’ passion for the game will deliver that.

“Personally, I think if we just do what they ask and represent ourselves well, it’s going to do the work itself,” she said.

“The other piece is that we’re all very talented and the girls here are all positive and ready to lift each other and that will come through and show people what they need to see.”

Camera IconReturning from injury she decided to make the switch to league and leave union for now. Pic: AFPPicture: AFP

Coach Donald has seen that attitude in female players for some time, having been involved in women’s rugby league for the past six years.

He said female players have always had a belief they could silence their critics on the field and believes they will again.

“That’s what happened at the World Cup last year and that’s what brought it forward, there were six teams and people went, ‘wow these girls can play really, really well’,” Donald said.

“They’ve always been advocates — they being the women that have played — of ‘put a good quality game on in front of the naysayers or in front of anyone and people will love us’. They’ve known that for years.”